Paedophile magistrate's release prompts vigilante warning

Former magistrate Peter Liddy was jailed in SA in 2001 for the sexual abuse of four children. (ABC News) Notorious paedophile and former magistrate Peter Liddy will be released from prison on Thursday. The 82-year-old was jailed in 2001 for sexual offending against four children between 1983 and 1986. The Department for Correctional Services, which will be responsible for ensuring Liddy's compliance with supervision orders, says it cannot comment on his future whereabouts. Link copiedShareShare articleSA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens says he is aware of a flyer circulating in regional South Australia warning of notorious paedophile Peter Liddy's release from prison on Thursday. Liddy was jailed in 2001 for sexual offending against four children between 1983 and 1986, and will be released on home detention despite an ongoing application to have him kept behind bars. That application was lodged by South Australia's Attorney-General Kyam Maher earlier this year, and the Supreme Court later refused Liddy's bid to permanently shelve those proceedings. But the court instead ruled the 82-year-old former magistrate should still be released at the expiry of his term on June 4 on strict home detention conditions, while the court awaited medical and psychiatric reports to determine whether he could control his sexual instincts. Home detention conditions will include electronic monitoring, restricted internet access and a ban on contact with children. He will be prohibited from going within 50 metres of any school, kindergarten or public playground. Commissioner Stevens said primary responsibility for ensuring Liddy complied with the supervision order would rest with the Department for Correctional Services, but that SA Police would "have a broader public safety role". "If there are any concerns about the safety of other people in the community based on his conduct then we'll be taking action," he told 891 ABC Adelaide. "Equally, he has a lawful right under the circumstances to be within the community, so if there's any threats or harm to him we'll be obligated to take action in that regard. Commissioner Stevens cautioned against vigilantism but acknowledged public safety concerns. (ABC News: Dean Faulkner) Last month, the Supreme Court heard the premises where Liddy would live were "currently being assessed", but that there were "complexities" which could not be articulated in open court. Commissioner Stevens said while police would be aware of where Liddy would be living, the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act prevented disclosures of the "home address of a person who's on the register or personal details of a person on the register". The commissioner was asked about copies of a flyer that is reportedly circulating on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula, and that warns of Liddy's release. "I don't think that any offence has been committed in the circulars or the flyers that I have seen," he said. "But I would just caution people not to inadvertently find themselves the subject of a police investigation because they've released information they're not entitled to." The flyer mentions Liddy by name and stated that it was "not intended to cause harm or to identify any location" but act as a reminder "to remain vigilant to continue practising general child safety awareness". A spokeswoman for the Department for Correctional Services said she could not comment on Liddy's future whereabouts. "Any offender released into the community under an Interim Supervision Order is subject to strict supervision conditions determined by the court, which may include electronic monitoring, curfews, reporting obligations and restrictions on movement and activities," the spokeswoman said in a statement. "The department is unable to comment on the specific release arrangements of an individual, in accordance with the Correctional Services Act." The Copper Coast Council said it had "received no official correspondence regarding the release of Peter Liddy and had no prior knowledge of the flyers". Copy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Counselling and support services1800 Respect, National counselling helpline: 1800 737 732Bravehearts, counselling and support for survivors of child sexual abuse: 1800 272 831Lifeline, 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention: 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800Headspace on 1800 650 890 (children and young people)ReachOut at au.reachout.com (children and young people)Find support services in your state or territory.

Paedophile magistrate's release prompts vigilante warning

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